Finding up to date info on WC Radiators, determining pump needs...
Tags:
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Overclocking
- Water Cooling
Last response: in Overclocking
OniNoKen
September 11, 2014 7:07:39 PM
Greetings everyone. I'll throw myself at the mercy of the forum and beg your indulgence. I'm new to this, and I've never water cooled a system before. I've read the stickies, but recognize there are gaps in my knowledge that only experience can address. My questions are about the cooling capacities of radiators, and the performance of pumps.
1. Radiators
I've looked up the TDP for all of my components, and assumed 50 watts for my motherboard, which is probably generous, but I'll err on the side of overestimating. I've come up with a target of 1300 watts For the loop. Ambient temperature in the room Is generally around 69 degrees.
From there, I need to figure out radiators. I've got space for two 480's and a 240, if I keep everything in the case. I'm trying to figure out if that will be enough rad for that loop, and how much head pressure I'll need. Every article I've read refers to Skinneelabs, which is a wonderful site, but hasn't been updated in quite a long time. Is there any reliable sources for up-to-date info on these things, or are we entering a water cooling dark age, where everything is all machine spirits and ritual?
The rads I'm considering are the EK CoolStream XTX, The Alphacool NexXxos UT60 full copper line, or the xspc ax line.
2. Pumps
I'm planning to use hard acrylic tubing, to avoid the side effects of plasticizer in the water blocks. I don't have anything like the talent or the skill to do bending, even if i get the nifty kit with all the mandrels, so all turns will be made using 45 and 90 degree couplers . The motherboard (it has a factory waterblock installed), CPU, and 4 GPUS will be included in the loop.
I was hoping to get a reservoir with integrated pumps, for simplicity. Would two d5 (3.7 m of head) pumps in series be able to drive this loop? Or do I need more head?
Thanks for your time in reading this. If there are other questions I need to answer, please let me know, and I'll do my best to answer them.
Cheers,
Oni
1. Radiators
I've looked up the TDP for all of my components, and assumed 50 watts for my motherboard, which is probably generous, but I'll err on the side of overestimating. I've come up with a target of 1300 watts For the loop. Ambient temperature in the room Is generally around 69 degrees.
From there, I need to figure out radiators. I've got space for two 480's and a 240, if I keep everything in the case. I'm trying to figure out if that will be enough rad for that loop, and how much head pressure I'll need. Every article I've read refers to Skinneelabs, which is a wonderful site, but hasn't been updated in quite a long time. Is there any reliable sources for up-to-date info on these things, or are we entering a water cooling dark age, where everything is all machine spirits and ritual?
The rads I'm considering are the EK CoolStream XTX, The Alphacool NexXxos UT60 full copper line, or the xspc ax line.
2. Pumps
I'm planning to use hard acrylic tubing, to avoid the side effects of plasticizer in the water blocks. I don't have anything like the talent or the skill to do bending, even if i get the nifty kit with all the mandrels, so all turns will be made using 45 and 90 degree couplers . The motherboard (it has a factory waterblock installed), CPU, and 4 GPUS will be included in the loop.
I was hoping to get a reservoir with integrated pumps, for simplicity. Would two d5 (3.7 m of head) pumps in series be able to drive this loop? Or do I need more head?
Thanks for your time in reading this. If there are other questions I need to answer, please let me know, and I'll do my best to answer them.
Cheers,
Oni
More about : finding date info radiators determining pump
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Reply to OniNoKen
Start here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1785226/water-co...
1300 watts is extreme
You can download my spreadsheets and radiator size calculators here:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1457426/radiator-size-estima...
Here's October's effort ..... still haven't installed pull fans and sleeved cables.
![]()
I had a similar approach / design goals
Phanteks Enthoo Primo Ultimate Chassis
Seasonic X-1250
Asus Maximus VI Formula w/ water block
Intel 4770k
(2 x 8GB) Muskin CAS 10 DDR3-2400
2 x SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 2.5" 256GB
2 x Seagate ST2000DX001 2TB MLC/8GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s NCQ 3.5" Desktop Solid State Hybrid Drive
Asus GTX 780 DCII
Asus GTX 780 DCII
Mushkin Ventura Pro 64GB Flash Drive
Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS
ASUS VG248QE Black 23" 144 Hz Monitor
Logitech G19s 920-004985
ASUS Republic of Gamers GX950 Laser Mouse
Logitech Z5500
(15) PH-F140SP_BK case Fans (5 came w/ case)
Windows 7 64 Bit Professional OEM
5 Meter Black 3528 SMD White 300 LEDs
I'll put WC parts in next post
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1785226/water-co...
1300 watts is extreme
You can download my spreadsheets and radiator size calculators here:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1457426/radiator-size-estima...
Here's October's effort ..... still haven't installed pull fans and sleeved cables.

I had a similar approach / design goals
Phanteks Enthoo Primo Ultimate Chassis
Seasonic X-1250
Asus Maximus VI Formula w/ water block
Intel 4770k
(2 x 8GB) Muskin CAS 10 DDR3-2400
2 x SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 2.5" 256GB
2 x Seagate ST2000DX001 2TB MLC/8GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s NCQ 3.5" Desktop Solid State Hybrid Drive
Asus GTX 780 DCII
Asus GTX 780 DCII
Mushkin Ventura Pro 64GB Flash Drive
Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS
ASUS VG248QE Black 23" 144 Hz Monitor
Logitech G19s 920-004985
ASUS Republic of Gamers GX950 Laser Mouse
Logitech Z5500
(15) PH-F140SP_BK case Fans (5 came w/ case)
Windows 7 64 Bit Professional OEM
5 Meter Black 3528 SMD White 300 LEDs
I'll put WC parts in next post
-
Reply to JackNaylorPE
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OniNoKen
September 11, 2014 7:18:44 PM
Related resources
- Need Help finding a mount for my pump to be used on Radiator - Forum
- What NEEDS to be replaced? Looking for up to date info: - Forum
Best solution
1. Pump - I'd suggest that you use a dual pump and run a single loop with cards in series / parallel. That is have the line of the 1st pair of GFX cards split with half the flow going into card 4 and half into 3. Then have 3 feed 2 and 4 feed 1 and the come back together to go to MoBo and CPU.
Swiftech Dual Extreme Duty Small Form Factor 12 VDC Industrial PWM Pump - Black (MCP35X2-BK)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14961/ex-pmp-173/Swif...
Swiftech MCP35x2 Dual Pump Heatsink (MCP35X2-HS)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16233/ex-pmp-195/Swif...
Noiseblocker NB-BlackSilentPro PC-P 80mm x 15mm Ultra Silent PWM Fan - 2500 RPM
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/image/16392/fan-1017_...
2. I'd recommend:
One (1) 420 / 480 rad for each pair of GPUs..... so 2 x XT45-420
One (1) 280 / 360 rad for the CPU / MoBo .... so 1 x UT60-280
Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 Full Copper Double 140mm Radiator 324 x 144 x 60mm (Radiator Watts at 10C, 1250 rpm = 206)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16825/ex-rad-426/Alph...
Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper Triple 140mm Radiator 468 x144 x 46mm (Radiator Watts at 10C, 1250 rpm = 302)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16830/ex-rad-431/Alph...
You will need to clean the Rads .... (prolly will need an extra "Part 1)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/24694/ex-liq-415/Mayh...
3. Water Blocks - EK literally own this market for GFX cards.... others are competive on GPU temps but EK rules on VRM and VRAM by as much as 30C. These fit the Titan, 780 , 780 Ti Asus models
EK ASUS GeForce 780 GTX DCII VGA Liquid Cooling Block - Nickel (EK-FC780 GTX DCII – Nickel)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/21270/ex-blc-1529/EK_...
EK ASUS GeForce 780 GTX DCII VGA Liquid Cooling RAM Backplate - Black CSQ (EK-FC780 GTX DCII Backplate - Black)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/21273/ex-blc-1532/EK_...
The choice of water block for the CPU used to vary .... now the Supremacy EVO takes 1st place across the board.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1505481/summer-water-block-r...
You wanta clear top so you can see if any flotsam / jetsam clogging microchannels
EK Supremacy Evo
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/19628/ex-blc-1442/EK_...
4. I wanted some color change in the all black / red build so went with white res
EK-MultiOption RES X3 250 - Liquid Cooling Reservoir - White Acetal (6 Total Ports) w/ (2) EK Extender Fittings
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/21672/ex-res-677/EK-M...
EK X3 Reservoir Multiport Replacement Top - White (EK-RES X3 - Multiport TOP WHITE)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/18485/ex-res-481/EK_X...
Internal Tube 12/16 - 140mm (EK-RES-X3-TUBE-140
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_p...
EK G1/4 Thread Fitting Extender - Nickel - 8mm (Fitting Extender G1/4 (Ni)) http://www.frozencpu.com/products/18760/scr-701/EK_G14_...
Once ya get past this part we can talk tubing and fittings
Swiftech Dual Extreme Duty Small Form Factor 12 VDC Industrial PWM Pump - Black (MCP35X2-BK)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14961/ex-pmp-173/Swif...
Swiftech MCP35x2 Dual Pump Heatsink (MCP35X2-HS)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16233/ex-pmp-195/Swif...
Noiseblocker NB-BlackSilentPro PC-P 80mm x 15mm Ultra Silent PWM Fan - 2500 RPM
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/image/16392/fan-1017_...
2. I'd recommend:
One (1) 420 / 480 rad for each pair of GPUs..... so 2 x XT45-420
One (1) 280 / 360 rad for the CPU / MoBo .... so 1 x UT60-280
Alphacool NexXxoS UT60 Full Copper Double 140mm Radiator 324 x 144 x 60mm (Radiator Watts at 10C, 1250 rpm = 206)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16825/ex-rad-426/Alph...
Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper Triple 140mm Radiator 468 x144 x 46mm (Radiator Watts at 10C, 1250 rpm = 302)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16830/ex-rad-431/Alph...
You will need to clean the Rads .... (prolly will need an extra "Part 1)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/24694/ex-liq-415/Mayh...
3. Water Blocks - EK literally own this market for GFX cards.... others are competive on GPU temps but EK rules on VRM and VRAM by as much as 30C. These fit the Titan, 780 , 780 Ti Asus models
EK ASUS GeForce 780 GTX DCII VGA Liquid Cooling Block - Nickel (EK-FC780 GTX DCII – Nickel)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/21270/ex-blc-1529/EK_...
EK ASUS GeForce 780 GTX DCII VGA Liquid Cooling RAM Backplate - Black CSQ (EK-FC780 GTX DCII Backplate - Black)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/21273/ex-blc-1532/EK_...
The choice of water block for the CPU used to vary .... now the Supremacy EVO takes 1st place across the board.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1505481/summer-water-block-r...
You wanta clear top so you can see if any flotsam / jetsam clogging microchannels
EK Supremacy Evo
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/19628/ex-blc-1442/EK_...
4. I wanted some color change in the all black / red build so went with white res
EK-MultiOption RES X3 250 - Liquid Cooling Reservoir - White Acetal (6 Total Ports) w/ (2) EK Extender Fittings
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/21672/ex-res-677/EK-M...
EK X3 Reservoir Multiport Replacement Top - White (EK-RES X3 - Multiport TOP WHITE)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/18485/ex-res-481/EK_X...
Internal Tube 12/16 - 140mm (EK-RES-X3-TUBE-140
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_p...
EK G1/4 Thread Fitting Extender - Nickel - 8mm (Fitting Extender G1/4 (Ni)) http://www.frozencpu.com/products/18760/scr-701/EK_G14_...
Once ya get past this part we can talk tubing and fittings
-
Reply to JackNaylorPE
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OniNoKen
September 11, 2014 10:55:28 PM
So, based on more reading, and your recommendations I'll be going with:
1. The pump/heatsink/fan combo you linked, because that's way beyond anything I've found in terms of capability.
2. The radiator recommendations sound fine. Just one question: Why the xt45 vs. the UT60? Just a space thing so they can be run in a push/pull config?
3. I'm going to be going with the EK water blocks, because I think they've got the only water block for my cards, those being r9 290x dcu2's from ASUS. I was planning to get the csq bridge EK makes, but I don't think they have a configuration like what you were describing. I'm trying to visualize the tubing, and that too seems kinda wild.
4. I too am stuck in a red/black/white color scheme thanks to gigabyte.
1. The pump/heatsink/fan combo you linked, because that's way beyond anything I've found in terms of capability.
2. The radiator recommendations sound fine. Just one question: Why the xt45 vs. the UT60? Just a space thing so they can be run in a push/pull config?
3. I'm going to be going with the EK water blocks, because I think they've got the only water block for my cards, those being r9 290x dcu2's from ASUS. I was planning to get the csq bridge EK makes, but I don't think they have a configuration like what you were describing. I'm trying to visualize the tubing, and that too seems kinda wild.
4. I too am stuck in a red/black/white color scheme thanks to gigabyte.
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Reply to OniNoKen
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1. You'll love it .... looks beastly too
2. It was space issue for me in the Enthoo Primo. Download installation drawing here
http://www.overclock.net/t/1418637/official-case-phante...
3. Hold off on buying those cards .... GTX 980 is expected to drop in 6 days at $499 and, if it does, the price of those 290x's should drop by $100 - $150. The EK blocks are the best by a long shot.
Those are EK Blocks in the photo....it's not their design, it's mine. I simply piped to the cards using acrylic tubing
Feed line comes from pump to bottom rad to cards 1 & 2, then to cards 3 & 4 and then up to top rad. Ignore the periods (dots) .... had put them in to get spacing ...
- - - - = acrylic tube
. . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| - - - Card 1 - - -|
| . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| - - - Card 2 - - -|
|
|
|
| - - - Card 3 - - -|
| . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| - - - Card 4 - - -|
. . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . |
4. Whatever works .... if i was to do it today ....
I'd use the white case, white rads (painted myself ...the shrouds not the fine) and paint the thermal armor white
![]()
2. It was space issue for me in the Enthoo Primo. Download installation drawing here
http://www.overclock.net/t/1418637/official-case-phante...
3. Hold off on buying those cards .... GTX 980 is expected to drop in 6 days at $499 and, if it does, the price of those 290x's should drop by $100 - $150. The EK blocks are the best by a long shot.
Those are EK Blocks in the photo....it's not their design, it's mine. I simply piped to the cards using acrylic tubing
Feed line comes from pump to bottom rad to cards 1 & 2, then to cards 3 & 4 and then up to top rad. Ignore the periods (dots) .... had put them in to get spacing ...
- - - - = acrylic tube
. . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| - - - Card 1 - - -|
| . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| - - - Card 2 - - -|
|
|
|
| - - - Card 3 - - -|
| . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| - - - Card 4 - - -|
. . . . . . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . . . . . |
4. Whatever works .... if i was to do it today ....
I'd use the white case, white rads (painted myself ...the shrouds not the fine) and paint the thermal armor white

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Reply to JackNaylorPE
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OniNoKen
September 13, 2014 9:39:28 PM
Thanks for all the info! I'm going to make some card stock mocks of the rads plus fans to see what fits. I'll let you know what I find.
I see what you're doing with the piping, and I think that'll be quite a fun challenge, and look good.
As for the cards, I got someone else to pay for them 2 months ago, so they're already on hand. I was thinking about picking up a second unit of the case (corsair 900d) and pulling it apart to get it powder coated white. We'll see how funding holds out after everything for the water cooling loop is selected.
As for fittings, I've heard good things about bitspower, and was planning on using those. Since I was going with EK stuff for the blocks, I was thinking about just using their hardline. The EK 10/12 Solid Tube. Either that or the Bitspower Crystal Link stuff.
I see what you're doing with the piping, and I think that'll be quite a fun challenge, and look good.
As for the cards, I got someone else to pay for them 2 months ago, so they're already on hand. I was thinking about picking up a second unit of the case (corsair 900d) and pulling it apart to get it powder coated white. We'll see how funding holds out after everything for the water cooling loop is selected.
As for fittings, I've heard good things about bitspower, and was planning on using those. Since I was going with EK stuff for the blocks, I was thinking about just using their hardline. The EK 10/12 Solid Tube. Either that or the Bitspower Crystal Link stuff.
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Reply to OniNoKen
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Parts list Tubing & Fittings
Rigid 10/12 mm Acrylic Tubing - EK 12mm OD Solid Tube Set - Clear - 2x 19.5" (EK-HD Tube 10/12mm 500mm (2 pcs))
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/21244/ex-tub-2002/
G1/4" x Rigid Tubing Connector (Male) - Bitspower SLI / Crossfire Multi-Link Adapter Pair - Matte Black (BP-MBWP-C47)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10743/ex-tub-668/Bits...
G1/4" x Rigid Tubing Connector (Female) - Bitspower G1/4 Matte Black Multi-Link Adapter (BP-MBWP-C68)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12748/ex-tub-818/Bits...
G1/4" 90° Rotary Bend - Bitspower G1/4" Matte Black Rotary 90° G1/4" Adapter (BP-MB90R)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10376/ex-tub-629/Bits...
G1/4" 45° Rotary Bend - Bitspower G1/4" Matte Black Rotary 45 Degree G1/4" Adapter (BP-MB45R)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11887/ex-tub-737/Bits...
G1/4" Tee Fitting - Bitspower G1/4" Matte Black T Adapter (BP-MBTMB)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10382/ex-tub-622/Bits...
G1/4" x Compression Connector (Male) - Bitspower G1/4 Thread 3/8" ID x 1/2" OD Rotary Compression Fitting - Matte Black (BP-MBRCPF-CC2)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11107/ex-tub-700/Bits...
Quick-Disconnect for Drain - Bitspower Matte Black Quick-Disconnected Male w/ Inner G1/4 (BP-MBQDMIG14)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/17966/ex-tub-1636/Bit...
Quick-Disconnect for Drain - Bitspower Matte Black Quick-Disconnected Female w/ G1/4 Thread (BP-MBQDFG14)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/17965/ex-tub-1635/Bit...
Tubing - Tygon 2475 Ultra Chemical Resistant Plasticizer Free Tubing - 3/8" ID (1/2" OD) - Clear (ACG00027)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10691/ex-tub-663/Tygo...
Bleeder Valve - Bitspower G1/4" Mini Valve - Matte Black (BP-MVV-MBK)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14596/ex-tub-1035/Bit...
G1/4 30mm Fitting Extender - Bitspower G1/4 Male to Female Extender - 30mm - Matte Black (BP-MBWP-C63)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12340/ex-tub-777/Bits...
Flow Meter - Bitspower G1/4 Thread Flow Sensor - Matte Black (BP-FS-CLBKMBK)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16903/ex-tub-1371/Bit...
Male by Male Extender - Bitspower Dual G1/4" Male / Male Fitting - Matte Black (BP-MBWP-C08)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10363/ex-tub-609/Bits...
I used two 3" sections of flexible tube w/ compression fittings to provide some level of vibration isolation to the rest of the loop.
Rigid 10/12 mm Acrylic Tubing - EK 12mm OD Solid Tube Set - Clear - 2x 19.5" (EK-HD Tube 10/12mm 500mm (2 pcs))
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/21244/ex-tub-2002/
G1/4" x Rigid Tubing Connector (Male) - Bitspower SLI / Crossfire Multi-Link Adapter Pair - Matte Black (BP-MBWP-C47)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10743/ex-tub-668/Bits...
G1/4" x Rigid Tubing Connector (Female) - Bitspower G1/4 Matte Black Multi-Link Adapter (BP-MBWP-C68)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12748/ex-tub-818/Bits...
G1/4" 90° Rotary Bend - Bitspower G1/4" Matte Black Rotary 90° G1/4" Adapter (BP-MB90R)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10376/ex-tub-629/Bits...
G1/4" 45° Rotary Bend - Bitspower G1/4" Matte Black Rotary 45 Degree G1/4" Adapter (BP-MB45R)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11887/ex-tub-737/Bits...
G1/4" Tee Fitting - Bitspower G1/4" Matte Black T Adapter (BP-MBTMB)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10382/ex-tub-622/Bits...
G1/4" x Compression Connector (Male) - Bitspower G1/4 Thread 3/8" ID x 1/2" OD Rotary Compression Fitting - Matte Black (BP-MBRCPF-CC2)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11107/ex-tub-700/Bits...
Quick-Disconnect for Drain - Bitspower Matte Black Quick-Disconnected Male w/ Inner G1/4 (BP-MBQDMIG14)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/17966/ex-tub-1636/Bit...
Quick-Disconnect for Drain - Bitspower Matte Black Quick-Disconnected Female w/ G1/4 Thread (BP-MBQDFG14)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/17965/ex-tub-1635/Bit...
Tubing - Tygon 2475 Ultra Chemical Resistant Plasticizer Free Tubing - 3/8" ID (1/2" OD) - Clear (ACG00027)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10691/ex-tub-663/Tygo...
Bleeder Valve - Bitspower G1/4" Mini Valve - Matte Black (BP-MVV-MBK)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14596/ex-tub-1035/Bit...
G1/4 30mm Fitting Extender - Bitspower G1/4 Male to Female Extender - 30mm - Matte Black (BP-MBWP-C63)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/12340/ex-tub-777/Bits...
Flow Meter - Bitspower G1/4 Thread Flow Sensor - Matte Black (BP-FS-CLBKMBK)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16903/ex-tub-1371/Bit...
Male by Male Extender - Bitspower Dual G1/4" Male / Male Fitting - Matte Black (BP-MBWP-C08)
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10363/ex-tub-609/Bits...
I used two 3" sections of flexible tube w/ compression fittings to provide some level of vibration isolation to the rest of the loop.
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Reply to JackNaylorPE
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